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Saturday, November 16, 1912: Didn’t have much at all to do this afternoon. I think you feel so funny when you have nothing at all to do.

Recent view of the field across the road from the house that Grandma lived in.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:

Many days when I read what Grandma wrote, I am surprised how similar teens a hundred years ago are to teens today.

But occasionally, like today, I’m amazed how astute Grandma was—even though she was only 17. I don’t think that I learned until I was well into my 40s that it feels funny when I have nothing to do—and that I’m happier when I’m busy doing things that are meaningful to me.

So true, I think I was also around 40 when I finalize the truth tot that. Funny how I never thought of people 100 yrs ago having nothing to do..I always assumed they were always busy with something. :)

Hello

I look forward to sharing my grandmother's diary with relatives and friends. Helena Muffly (Swartz) kept a diary from 1911-1914. She was 15 years old when she began this diary. I plan to post these entries one day at a time—exactly 100 years after she wrote them. I hope you enjoy this glimpse back to a slower paced time.

The header is a picture of the farm where my grandmother lived when she wrote this diary. It is located in Northumberland County in central Pennsyvlania about a mile outside of McEwenvsille. My father said that the buildings look similar to what they looked like when he was a child.